'Superhero' preschoolers bridge to kindergarten at Larkmoor Elementary in Lorain

Carol Harper/charper@morningjournal.com
A first bridging ceremony at a new preschool at Larkmoor Elementary School, 1201 Nebraska Ave., Lorain, invited many emotional responses from superhero preschool students. The Stocker Foundation, 201 Burns Road, Elyria, paid for the preschool with a $1.25 million grant over five years.

Black masks and red capes set a theme for a bridging ceremony for 39 children from preschool to kindergarten at Larkmoor Elementary School, 1201 Nebraska Ave. in Lorain.

“Superhero, superhero, be the part,” the children chanted.

As they led the children in songs and activities, teachers Julia Bautista and Christina Ice also donned blue capes. They helped each child climb steps, stand on top for photos and then descend to the floor.

“Introducing the high school class of 2028 and 2029,” said Principal Chantelle Lewis.

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The audience of about 150 parents and grandparents gasped.

“Today, we celebrate the future of learning,” Lewis said.

The new preschool with two classes was paid for through a $1.25 million grant over five years from The Stocker Foundation, 201 Burns Road in Elyria, to increase literacy.

“Larkmoor Elementary School was selected because preschool has not been available on the east side of Lorain for nearly a decade,” said Patricia O’Brien, executive director of The Stocker Foundation, who attended the ceremony. “In addition, Larkmoor was the perfect choice because Principal Chantelle Lewis and the entire teaching staff understand the importance of early childhood education as it relates to kindergarten readiness and reading at grade level by third-grade.”

O’Brien said she appreciated that Lewis stressed the importance of reading with the children over the summer months.

After the ceremony, families gathered in the cafeteria for a reception.

“The program has been wonderful,” said Stephanie Warren, Sophia’s mother. “They go on field trips to University Circle. She’s reading already — in preschool. The teachers were very involved with the kids.

“I’m impressed with the program. It’s five days, so it’s all day for these children. I think they did a great job. The kids all got along really well. It’s a small school, too. Their literacy nights have been great.”

The teachers posed for photographs with children. Wearing a purple princess party dress, Isabella Terrill, 4, gave Ice a present of a snow globe with white tigers.

“We liked the preschool,” said Isabella’s mother, Amanda Terrill, 32. “Mrs. Ice did really good with her. She taught her a lot.”

Pamela Bloomingdale, a grandmother, said all three of her children attended Lorain City Schools and graduated from Southview High School.

“I like this school and I like the way they treated all my kids,” Bloomingdale said. “It’s just the way they focused on the kids and gave them what they needed to learn to get them to the next level.”

Ice treasures the opportunity to create the preschool.

“This year has been very exciting collaborating with the principal to have a new preschool reaching out to the community,” said Ice, 25. “The parents are wonderful. They are so involved in everything we do.”

Lewis surveyed families chatting and busy students wearing masks and party clothes and said, “This turned out really, really nice.”